California and Nevada 2025

[ttora4runner]

Sometimes things don’t always go as planned and you have two revise those plans to fit the situation. In this case my planned yearly two week vacation got thrown off track a bit due to a move back to Colorado from Arizona to assist with a couple of construction projects that need some help. Originally, I had planned to travel back up to Olympic National Park for some more hiking, attempting to hike Mt Shasta again, driving the Oregon BDR and hitting various mountain bike trails along the way but those plans had to change now with the timeframe that I had to move.

So I opted to split my vacation into two separate week long trips, I would spend a week exploring some areas in California that I’ve wanted to get back to or visit before leaving Arizona and the 2nd half of the trip would occur after I moved.

In the midst of this I had to spend some time back in Colorado to try and procure housing and to make things a little more difficult I decided to buy a house again. So I spent the better part of a Friday/Saturday looking at around 20 different properties with my real estate agent and my brother and putting an offer in on Sunday. I could’ve made it easier on myself and just rented again but I had my reasons to just buy.

The week up to vacation was dealing with real estate related items while still working 50+ hours and planning the last minute items for the trip. By the time I left most of the real estate items had gotten worked out to my relief (waiting on paperwork) so I could go on vacation and not have too much to worry about.

For the first half of the trip I ventured back up to Bishop’s California to finally drive out to the Coyote Flats area up to Funnel Lake before heading up to Mammoth Lakes for a few days for some hiking and mountain biking before heading back home but not before a stop in Mtn Charleston, Nevada for a little more hiking.

Coyote Flats area



Heading up the trail – very few vehicle on the trail this day.












I decided to make a loop out to Funnel Lake via the two FS roads.




Funnel Lake – had the area to myself

 

[ttora4runner]

Spent some time checking out the area before heading back to Bishops for the night and the following day I would head up to the Mammoth Lakes area to the campground I would be staying at for the next few nights and to get my bearings for the next few days.

The following afternoon I found myself at town site of Bennettville just outside of Yosemite National Park east gate. It’s a short and easy two mile hike back to the town site and mine.






First floor.


Second floor.












Heading back to the old mine.

 

[ttora4runner]

This gave me somewhat of the willies.









Having got my fill for the day it was back to camp for dinner and to relax since the following day I’d be heading out on the Mammoth Crest trail back to Duck Lake and the back via Duck Pass.

Start of the trail.




View of Crystal Crag




Crystal Lake




On the trail

 

[ttora4runner]

Group of hikers coming up behind me
















Duck Lake - worth another visit.




Duck Pass.








Once back at my truck it was time for lunch and to give my feet a rest before heading back out for the evening. That evening I made the drive up to San Joaquin Ridge trail to get a good view of Mammoth Mountain and the surrounding area.

 

[ttora4runner]

Start of the trail looking towards the end somewhere out in front of me.




Gotta love the view.


Nearing the end of the trail.


End of the road – there is very little room to turn vehicles around here maybe two max.




Coming back down the trail – optional line. The other side is a little easier.




The washout in the road, if you weren’t paying attention you’d have a bad day or night.




Having got my fill for the day it was back to camp for the night as the following day I’d be mountain biking around the area.

Plan for the day was to start from the campground up to the trails system just outside of town, then up to Mountain View trail to the Minarets view point and backup San Joaquin Ridge trail as far as I felt like going before heading back into town. I purposely avoid biking Mammoth since I didn’t feel like paying the fee or starting the trail with a bunch of other riders.

 

[ttora4runner]

Since I didn’t feel like I punished myself enough with the trails I just rode I head up the paved trail system up towards Lake Mary and back down into town back to the campground via the Mammoth Rock Trail system, where I had a bit of an ‘Oh, ****’ moment as two black bear cubs ran right in front of me coming down the trail.









Trail system.


The ride back into town.


The afternoon was spent filling out real estate paperwork and visiting the Mammoth Museum at the Hayden Cabin.


I debated driving back to Laurel Lake but ultimately decided not to. The rest of the day was just spent back at camp reading a good book.

The following morning I would start on my way back but not before a quick stop at Lookout Mountain and Hot Creek Geologic Site.








Hot Creek Geologic Area – interesting area

 

[ttora4runner]

After spending sometime exploring the area I was off to my last destination for this trip Mt Charleston, Nevada. I don’t recall how I found this area exactly but since it was on my way back it seemed like it was worth a visit and good chance to get one final hike in.
On my way in a rain storm passed through the area which worried me some as to if it would be raining when I started on the trail but lucky it passed by without an issue.





I had originally planned to hike Mt Charleston the following morning but since there was still some daylight and I was somewhat anxious to get home (the whole moving thing) I changed plans and decided to hike up to Griffith Peak to get a view of Vegas.

Trailhead signage.


Heading up the trail.

 

[ttora4runner]

Griffith Peak








Mt Charleston in the background.






Looking towards Vegas from the summit.








Heading back down the trail.


Looking towards town.




Once back down the trail it was back to the lodge for the night before starting back early the following morning to Arizona. Even though this was a quick trip and somewhat stressful at times dealing with real estate items it was well worth the trip to visit some areas I’ve been meaning to get to.

In a couple of weeks I’d be heading off again for another week to Oregon and Idaho for a little more exploration and mountain biking. That trip will be coming soon – as normal I take way, way too many photos to sort though.